New! Pulsar Quantum Lite XQ30V

I believe that Pulsars new Quantum Lite XQ30V is a big game changer in the world of spotting day or night.

Lets get the geeky part over and done with before I tell you my thoughts on this product.

(Video is of a herd of Sika Hinds and calves at over 900yrds during the day in long grass, I was unable to see these with the naked eye and through binoculars I could only see 2 beasts, so if stalking in unaware there was a larger number there I could have easily bumped the lot. The thermal definitely helps in the scenario.)

SPECS

The Quantum Lite has all the features found on the previous Quantum XQ Series but has a new objective lens. The Quantum Lite now offers unparalleled performance at its price point.

Operating at a frame rate of 50Hz and using a 384×288 17µm thermal sensor, the Quantum Lite produces a smooth, detailed image.

Power can be provided by either four AA batteries, the Pulsar DNV Battery Pack (PU-79167) or one of Pulsars external power sources – the EPS3i (PU-79113) or EPS5 (PU-79112).

Quantum Lite XQ30V

• Frame Rate: 50Hz
• Magnification: 2.5-10.0x
• Horizontal Field of View: 12.4°
• Detection Range: 900m
• Thermal Sensor: 384×288 17µm

In brief the Quantum Lite Series Features:

• High Frame Rate
• Stadiametric Rangefinder
• Wide Temperature Range
• Display-off Mode
• Long Detection Range
• 7 Colour Palettes
• Two Second Start-Up Time
• Three Calibration Modes
• Three Operating Modes
• Video Out Port
• Weaver Accessory Rail
• Power Saving Modes
• Frost-Resistant AMOLED display

High Frame Rate

• At a high refresh rate of 50Hz, the Trail series provides comfortable viewing throughout dynamic, rapid motion.

Stadiametric Rangefinder

• Based on estimated heights of observed objects, the stadiametric rangefinding reticle makes determining precise distances fast, easy, reliable and repeatable.

Wide Temperature Range

• With a frost-resistant AMOLED display, the Trail thermal imaging sight is designed to deliver flawless performance at an extreme temperature of -25° to +50°C

Display-off Mode

• During short periods of inactivity and better concealment, Display Off powers down the display without interrupting other operating functions. Using Display Off means a much faster restart time when you need it most.

Long Detection Range

• Depending on model, Trail thermal sights detect big-game-size heat signatures up to 1800 meters away

My Thoughts

Now the boring bit is over and done with I can get on with what I was saying ,

Yes I believe this little monocular is a game changer in the world of both night and day spotting. Over the years I have reviewed and tested some of the best thermal spotters on the market and I have seen the technology progress and with the progression the price has went through the roof with units being offered at upwards of £4000 which is just crazy amount of cash when for the same price you can buy a very good second hand quad or a good used Pick up that would probably get more use.

The spotting range of this little monocular is very good with recognised detection up to 300yrds but spotting capabilities well over 1000yrds, well beyond the needs of any stalker or hunter.

The facilities on this unit are very much the same easy to use settings as with older versions but where this has the advantage is the size and weight. With the size of the unit it is easy to slip into your jacket pocket weighing just a few grams allowing you to stalk into or move about more freely. Absolutely perfect for stalking in thick cover.

Stalking the Ghost

Seeing the unseen is what thermal hunting is all about and the art of being able to use a pair of binos to full effect is a must when hunting in thick cover, this is where the little XQ30 comes into its own.

Most of my hunting at this time of year is either in long grass or thick leave filled cover so binos become very limited in their use, the thermal allows you to see, for most part, through the cover to at least tell if there is a heat source there allowing you to calculate what you are going to do next, it is also perfect for stalking in large fields of long grass or deep heather allowing you to be able to pick out heat sources in minutes.

Where thermal is especially advantageous is when you are doing pest control, rabbiting and foxing becomes a lot more interesting when you have thermal and spotting foxes taking advantage of the increased cover become very illusive, the Quantum Lite is brilliant in this situation giving you a clear indication that there is something lurking and giving you the upper hand specially when it comes to those missed during the winter months.

Thermal only for night?

The good thing about thermal monoculars is that they can be used day and night with good effect giving you just as good detection when you need but they do really come into their own in darkness. The Quantum Lite though is less sensitive than more expensive units such as the Helion, but this in its own is an advantage meaning that picking up less heat source from things such as rocks and trees on warm days allowing for better judgement.

All thermal units have their limitations though so you cannot rely on them fully and they do not replace a good pair of binoculars, this I have to stress as people expect miracles and I guess rightly so as the price you pay for thermal is far greater than a good pair of “Binos”. Using a thermal takes practice and in the summer time, especially during the day heat sources are everywhere so knowing what to look for through the thermal unit becomes its own specific type of field craft. Just bare in mind this when buying ANY thermal.

What else do you get?

Along with the thermal unit you get a great bag to carry your stuff in like you do with all the rest and the usual cables to allow you to record your own footage.

The unit has handy mounting points so you can use a tripod or mount to a spotting mount bracket.

With a little geeky knowledge you can also add some after market components to make it record wirelessly or to be mounted to a vehicle without compromising the integrity of the the Thermal unit. (not provided or sold by Pulsar)

options are very good.

Downsides

Other than than the usual downsides of thermal units in general giving the reason why thermal hunting scopes are illegal to use to hunt deer at night, the XQ30V has a couple of its own but they are by far not serious. More expensive thermals give you better identification at longer ranges, however, that does reflect in the price. With the more expensive Helions for instance you can get fox recognition past 500yrds which you cannot get with the XQ30v. In my view this is not a bad downside as you can still spot very effectively giving you an idea of what is going on.

The Quantum Lite has a zoom function 5x and 10x mag but you will find yourself using the 2.5x all the time as the other mags are a little too grainy but the extra zoom is good for checking to see the movement of whatever you are looking at which helps determine

SO WHY DO YOU SAY ITS A GAME CHANGER DAVID?

This comes down to price,

Essentially what you are getting in this unit for a little over a grand two years ago you were paying £2800 for.

This unit comes in at around the £1100 to £1300 mark.

Gregor at Macleods of Tain is selling this unit for £1199 and Scott Country are selling it at £1299 which to me is awesome price allowing access to thermal for MOST hunters not just the elite few.

The problem with thermal as I said before has always been the price and cheap thermal units just did not cut it and were useless unless it was for building maintenance or such and this was no use to the outdoor market or even security. The Pulsar Quantum Lites price allows you to have access to top of the range technology at a quarter of the price and it really does work and is worth it so much so that even in the test stages there has been a number of sales of this product on my recommendations alone and I have ordered one myself.

I do really recommend this product it is just so very useful and for me is a must for your kit and around the price of a good rifle scope you cannot go wrong. This will allow many amateur pest controllers to have access to technology that is used by the professionals and in many cases this is only what separates them.